Switch



July 11, 1933. R, YESCWCK' 1,917,786

Invenlor l,qlforney July 11, 1933. A. R. YEscHlCK SWITCH Filed Nov. 29, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventar ltomey yBygmwr July 11, 1933. A, Rl YESCHlCK 1,917,786

SWTCH Filed Nov. 29, 1932' 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 lnvenlor Y 43 Bp J 4 42 iforney Patented July 11, 1933 ALEX R. YESCHCK, OF BBONNTOIX, JNNEESOTA Application filed November 29, Serial No.

described having only one main movi g part, which is movable as a whole for mi l ng and breaking the circuit connected thereto.

lt is also an important object of i ry invention to incorporate in the said moving part so as to be carried thereby, means for snapping open, that is, quickly disconnecting trom electrical engagement with a stationary contact of the switch, the movable member thereof. f

lt isalso an important object or my invention to provide means incorporated in the means for producing the snap action, 'lor temporarily bridging the space between the movable member and the stationary contact so as to enable the movable member to separate from the stationary Contact member with but little arcino.

Other objects Vand advantages or my invention will be apparent from a reading or the following description in connection with the drawings, wherein Jfor purposes of illustration I have shown a preferred embodiment ot the invention.

In the drawings f Figure 1 is a front view of the embodiment of the invention utilized as a wall switch.

Figure 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view through Figure l, taken amproxinmtely upon the line 2 9.

Figure 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken through the switch structure.

Figure l is a horizontal. transverse sectional view taken approximately on the line 4--4 or Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a vertical transverse sectional view through the movable member.

Figure 6 is a vertical transverse sectional View taken approximately on the line 6-6 of Figure 8.

Figure 7 is a perspective view oi the main portionof the movable member.

Figure 8 is a. perspective view of the mask for closing the opening in the base of the switch.

'eure 9 is a front view et one oit the secoif the switch body.

Figure 10 is a back view oflthe iii-ont section of the switch body.

Figure 1i is a Jfront view ot the section shown in Figure l0.

Figure l2 is a perspective view of the switch base.

Figure 13 is an elevational view of the stationary contact member.

Figure 14- is a transverse sectional view through Figure 13, talien approximately on the line lllll.

Figure l5 is a perspective view of the stationary contact engaging head oit the movable iember.

Referring in detail to the drawings, wherein lil-:e numerals relier to like parts throughout the same, the letter A refers generally to the body or the switch which comprises Athe front section l and the rear section 2,

which are made of suitable dielectric material either cast or molded or otherwise formed to the shape shown.

rlfhe 'liront seetil'in l shown in detail in Figures 'l0 and ll, comprises a vertically elongated block or generally rectangular 'form which has :termed in its ends notches la 'lor receiving the, heads or ends oit bolts which may be passed through the base to be described. longitudinal opening 3 is placed centrally intermediate the ends oit the bleek. ln the back or reverse side oi the block there is provided a recess 3a, which is semi-circular in cross section. llt either end of the recess 3a is a lattemed portion l, Openings G, l are made through the blocks on opposite sides or the recess 3e to receive fastening n'ioans to be desc ibed.

'ihe body section 2 is similar in 'formation to the body section l except lior the provision ot lugs 8 and 9 which are formed on one side or the block at the ends thereolf as shown in Figure 9,

The body sections l and 2 are secured together in superposed relation with the recesses thereof Se and 3l) opposed, and the front face of the section 1 abutted with the rear tace ot the base plate which is shown in Figure 12. This comprises a suitable metallic or other rigid plate which has an clongation slightly greater than that of the body portion of th switch. A longitudinal opening 11 is provided intermediate the ends ot the base plate for slidably accommodating the slidablc mask 12 and the handle or the movable member l. On either side oit the opening` 11 in the base plate are openings corresponding in position to the openings G and 6a and 7 and To ot the sections of the bodv A of the switch. ln either xnd ot the plate is a transversely elongated opening 18 to receive securing means to be described.

For securing together the base plate 10, the :trent section 1 and the rear section 2 et the body of the switch, there are provided screws 11i, 15 the heads oit which are countersunk in the openings in the base plate and pass through. the section 1 and are threaded into suitable threaded sleeves 1G, 17 embedded in the section 2 as seen in Figure 4f.

A suitable casing 18, in the 'form o'l a box having ianges 19 at its open side, may enclose the body of the switch in sach a manner that the flanges 19 abut the rear side of the base plate 10. For momiting the switch in a panel or wall construction a suitable opening is provided in the panel 20 so that the casing may be seated therein with its flange engaging and countersunk in the 'front face of the panel as shown in Figure 2. A larger opening in the tace plate 21 ot' the panel construction receives thebase plate 107 and closing this latter opening is the switch plate 22 which may be of any desired design having centralized longitudinally spaced openings to receive bolts or screws 25%, 2l which pass through the transversely elonn gated openings 13, in the ends of the base plate 10.

Slid able in the chamber ot cylindrical 'torni constituted by the body sections 1 and 2 is the movable member generally designated B in the drawings. This connirises a tubular cylinder 25 ot dielectric material which is oit an exterior diameter to slide closely but easily in the cylindrical chamber mentioned. As seen in Figure 3 the cylinder 25 is consieerably shorter than the chamber, so that it may travel longitudinally therein. Extending from one side and integrally formed with the cylinder 25 a curved handle 2G which of a size to slide in the opening 3 and itairly closely fit therein. It will be observed that the ends of the openingl 3 are curved to conform with the curvature of the arm 2G as shown in Figure 3. This permits a full bearing for the handle 2G to strike at the end ot its travel. in either direction.

For closing the opening 3 .in all positions of the handle 2G. l provide the mask 12 which has one half of a light color as indicated at 2T and the other h alt of a contrasting color as indicatedat 28. This mask is disposed in the opening 11 ot the base plate and slides in this opening and against the front face otl the section 1 over the opening 3. The mask is provided with a central opening 29 to receive the handle theretlnough, and the handle provided with an enlarged head S0 which provides shoulders tor confining the mask in p0- sition. The enlarged head 30 resembles the switch knob ot an ordinary wall switch as seen in Figure 1. then the switch is in the ol'l' position the contrasting color portion 28 shows in the opening '31 in the switch plate 22 in which the handle works, whereas in the on position the lighter colored portion 27 appears in the opening 3 1, thereby positively indicating the position ot the switch.

The means Al'or producing a snap separation oit the electrical contact member of the movable member trom the stationary contact means oi the switch, comprises the hollow tubular slide 32, which open at its lower end. The slide 32 is ot suitable conductive material ,lt is normally drawn downwardly isn the t ,lectric cylinder 25 by a spring 33 which if; coyuiected to the lower end of the slide 12 by a cross bar lll and connected to the lo er end ot the dielectric cylinder 25 by another cross bar 35. As seen, a` suitable conductor 3G may he led through the lower open end oit the (flielectric cylinder 25 and connected to theI cross har 34 oi the slide for introducing one side oi: the circuit into the switch.

The upper end ot' the tubular conductor iide 32 pinched together and reduced in diameter as indica ted at 'li in such a manner that divergent lips 258 and 39 are produced, between which lips is held a liber or other insulating material contact head 4.0 the precise torni oll which is shown in Figure 15.

The dielectric hea d 4l() generally arrow` shaped and is provided at opposite sides with plane angular relateiil laces -l1 and 42. The reduced shank portion a3 ot' the head 40 is provided in one side with a longitudinal opening 4 1- to receive the are reducing member to be described.

The h ad l-O is adapten to meet and engage between and separate lips 45, 46 of the stationary spring Contact generally designatcdsli', so as vto pass between the lips 45, 46 and seat behind them as shown in Figure 5, in which position the lips ot the stationa ry contact member electrically eilgagc with the lips 3S and 39 on the adjacmit end ot the tubular slide 32 whereby ifnll electrical contact is established and a structural as well as frictional engagement ot the movable contact member with the stationary contact members brought about.

The stationary contact 47 is seen in F ignres 1.3 and 14; comprises the plate portion 48 having the converging arms 49 and 50. Extending laterally from one of the arms is an eXtension 51 which, as seen in Figure 9 extends to and is secured on the lug 8 of the body section 2, while the main portion of the stationary contact member is seated upon the flattened portion 4a iu that end of the recessed side ot the body section 2, in position to be engaged by the dielectric head of the movable member asitis moyed upwardly into closed posi tion. Resting upon the other flattened portion 5a at the opposite end of the recess 3?; is a suitably formed L-shaped conductor which has a lateral portion similar to the portion 5l extended to the lug 9. Suitable screws or binding posts 53, 54 are threaded into the lugs' in contact with the conductors 5l and 52 for connecting the circuit conductors 55 and 56 as seen in Figure 2.

In the lforward leg 49 of the stationary contact member 47 is an opening 5i' formed by punching out a portion thereof and turning up the resultant tab as indicated at 58.

Pivotally supported on a pin 59 in the re" cess 44 in the dielectric head 40 is a spring coil 60 of a spring member generally designated 6l. This comprises the coil 6() the lower arm G2 which is extended within the tubular slide 32 and engages against one sice thereof as seen in Figure 5, and the other arm 63 which extends upwardly through the upper part ot the recess 44 in the head and extends outwardly from the head. The arms 62 and 63 are so related to the coil G() that the arm 63 is normally outwardly springpressed. rEhis arrangement of the arc reducing member is made so that as the head 40 approaches a. position between the lips 45, 46 of the stationary contact, the upwardly directed end of the arm 63 will engage the lip 45 and by reason of the upward movement of the slide 32 and the angular position of the lip 45, will be forced radially inwardly against the head 40 until the head 49 has A passed beyond the lips 45, 4G into the position shown in Figure 5, when, the arm 63 will spring radially outwardly into the opening 57 in the arm 49 of the stationary contact member. This results in a very positive contact and securely holds the head 40 enlgaged with the stationary contact element.

The arc reducing function of the spring member GO commences as the head 40 appreaches the stationary contact. It will be observed that the arm 63 extends radially ioutwaa-dly of the head 40 so that it comes lirst into Contact with the stationary contact element and maintains a arc reducing` contact until the head 40 is properly seated so that the stationary contact element engages the tubular slide. lVhen the tubular member 32 is separated from electrical contact with the stationary Contact member, the arc reducing member 6l remains in Contact with the arm 49 of the stationary contact longer than any portion of the tubular slide 39 thereby practically preventing arcing which would otherwise occur between the arms ot the stationary contact and the lip iliortions 38, 39 o'lf thc end of the tubular conductor. (wing to the spring character ot the arm Gil., it will snap away from the arm 4J ot the stationaiy contact element as soon as the slide 2 has been inoyod suilicient. ly away 'trom tl'le stationary contact element toseparate the head ltherelroni. 'llhis snap action is aided by il s' 33 which draws the tubular conductor iis down y'ardly into the open or oil position. 'lhere is also a. certain amount oiPA snap action as the movable member separates lrom the stationary contact. due to the formation olf' the parts already described.

lt will be obserycd that the movement oit the tubular slice 32 is limited by means of a transverse member G5 which is arranged diametrically in the dielectric cylinder and passes through openings G9 in the oppo- .site sides clE the tubular le 32. This construvthin is clearly seen in Figures and lt `will be obvious that due the relatively heavy construction ci the operatiye parts, that a hea ry load current may be controlled thereby. ll' vreasonoi"tliis, pensive .switch constructions now provided or controlling heavy load currents may be supplaiitod a imich lower cost, and the necessity ttor a distant control switch 'for controllingthe main switch troni a. conrenient place n also be dispensed with. since the entire circuit control means Yfor a. heavy load circuit may be locat d as unit at any conyenient place, such as in a wall or panel or in any desirable place.

Though, I have shown and described herein a` preferred embodinient oit the invention, it is to be deiinitely understood that l do not desire to limit the appli .ition ol: the invention thereto, and any cha 'e or changes may be made in material and structure and arrangement ol parts, within the spirit ot the 'iyention and the scope ot the subjoined claims.

That is claimed is l. A switch ot the class described comprising a` casing, a stationary contact member in one end oi" the casing comprising a pair oi" spring lingers having their major portions conyergently arranged with their terminals flaring, a cylinder ot non-conducting material in the casing, a handle connected therewith` an inner cylinder slidably arranged in the hist-mentioned cylinder and 'formed of conductive material with its outer end reduced and terminating in a 'daring part, a head ot non-conductiye material placed in the 'flaring portion with its outer part projecting therefrom and olf wedge shape, and spring means for connecting the two cylinders together.

2. A switch of the class described comprising a casing, a stationary contact member in one end of the casing comprising a pair oit spring lingers having their major portions convergently arranged with their terminals Haring, a cylinder of non-conducting material in the casing` a handle connected therewith, an inner cylinder slidably arranged in the first-mentioned cylinder and termed ot conductive material with its outer end reduced and terminating in a flaring part, a head ot inni-conductive material placed in the Haring portion with its outer part projecting therefrom and of wedge shape, spring means lor connecting the two cylinders together, a spring tongue carried by the head and passing through an opening in the tiaring part ot the inner cylinder, and the stationary contact having an opening in one linger thereoi for receiving the tongue, a, part of the metal lett by the opening being bentoutwardly to engage the tongue.

3. A switch oit the class described comprising a casing, a stationary contact at oneend f ol the casing composed ot a pair ol spring lingers, an outer cylinder sli ly arranged in the casing, the inner cylinder having limited sliding movement in the outer cylinder, the outer endV oit the inner cylinder being of substantially dome-shaped and terminating in a Haring portion. ahead ot non-conducting material passing throu gh the flaring portion and shaped to conform therewith with the outer end o'f the head oit wedge shape, a spring member carried by the head and having a tongue torining portion passing through a part oi the flaring portion ot the inner cylinder and one of the lingers of the stationary Contact having an opening therein for receiving the tongue with the metal left by the opening pressed outwardly, a spring connecting the inner cylinder with the outer cylinder and a handle connected with the outer cylinder and passing through a slot in the casing.

t. A device of the class described comprising a casing formed of non-conductive material and having a slot therein, a movable switch member located in the casin g and composed of inner and outer cylinders, a stationary contact for one end ot the casing and composed of spring fingers, the inner cylinder having its outer end reduced and ending in a flaring portion engaging the spring lingers, yieldable means connecting the two cylinders together, a handle on the outer cylinder passing through the slot in the casing, a plate having one portion of a different color than the other portion with an opening in the plate through which the handle passes, a second plate in which the lirst-named plate is slidably arranged, and a cover plate connected with the second plate and having a slot therein through which the handle passes.

5. A switch ol the class described comprising a casing, a substantially U-shaped spring member at one end of the casing 'forming a stationary contact, a member slidably arranged in the casing and having one end reduced and adapted to enter the space between the limbs of the stationary contact, said member forming a. movable contact, a wedgeshaped part carried by the reduced end of said member for moving the limbs of the stationary contact apart, said wedge part being formed ot' non-comlucting material. a spring tongue carried by said wedge shaped part and passing through an opening in the reduced part and one limb of the stationary contact having an opening therein for receiving the tongue, a part of the metal left by the opening being bent outwardly to engage the tongue and a handle connected to the sliding member.

In testimony whereot' I aliiX my signature.

ALEX R. YESCHICK. 

